Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Applications are available for 63 affordable rental apartments at 66 Rockwell Place. The income eligibility ranges from $20,640 to $42,950/ annually.

If you are qualified, and would like to request an application, mail a self-addressed envelope to:
66 Rockwell Place
c/o CMP Consultants, Inc.
PO Box 1180
Valley Stream, NY 11582

The application may be additionally accessed at http://www.cmpconsultants.com/HousingApplications_XHJP.html.
Completed applications must be returned by regular mail only (no priority, certified, registered, and express or overnight mail will be accepted) to a post office box number that will be listed with the application. All applications must be postmarked by May 21, 2013.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

What is a Slow Zone?
Neighborhood Slow Zones reduce the speed limit on residential streets from 30 mph to 20 mph. Slow Zones grant local families peace of mind because they know drivers in their communities will stick to safer speeds.
Communities that apply for a Slow Zone can get safety improvements that reduce traffic crashes, cut-through traffic and traffic noise, making residential streets safer for biking and walking.

Who can apply?
Community boards, civic associations, BIDs, elected officials or other community institutions such as schools or churches can apply.

What can qualify as a Slow Zone?
• Pick a primarily residential area about 5 blocks by 5 blocks in size
• Avoid including wide streets, industrial sites and major commercial areas within the Slow Zone
• Pick an area with strong boundaries (e.g. Slow Zone borders can be major streets, highways, large parks or elevated train tracks)

How do I apply?
Download the application, and follow NYCDOT’s application instructions.
Applications must demonstrate local support for the Neighborhood Slow Zone.
Applications that include letters of support from key community stakeholders will be prioritized.

Transportation Alternatives is available to assist communities in the application process. Call TA at 212-629-8080

Friday, March 15, 2013

Council Member Letitia James To Appear On MSNBC Morning Show, 'Up With Chris Haynes'

(New York, NY)— On Saturday, March 16, 2013, Council Member Letitia James will join the panel of UP With Chris Hayes, an MSNBC morning political talk show, to discuss the New York City “soda ban” proposal introduced by the Bloomberg administration.

On March 11, 2013, the New York State Supreme Court halted the City of New York from implementing a ban on single-serving sugary drinks over 16 ounces, popularly known as the “soda ban”, which would have gone into effect on March 12, 2013. In a 37-page decision, Judge Milton Tingling “enjoined and permanently restrained” the City from exercising the ban, citing the regulations as “fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences,” and questioning the administration’s right to implement such policy without Legislative (City Council) support.

Council Member Letitia James has long argued that the ban was arbitrary and would most harshly target small local businesses; and has additionally proposed that the administration focus on improving physical education in public schools, re-developing local parks and playgrounds, and supporting urban farming programs and community gardens.

Council Member Letitia James Calls On SUNY Charter Schools Institute to Immediately Investigate Student Suspensions at Success Academy Schools6-Year-Old Charter School Student with IEP Received 20 Suspensions In Single School Year

(New York, NY)— On Thursday, March 14, 2013, Council Member Letitia James will be joining education advocates to request an immediate investigation on the suspension policy for children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) at the Charter School Success Academy in Cobble Hill Brooklyn, after corresponding with a constituent whose 6-year-old son with an IEP was suspended over twenty times during the school year.

Research shows that chronic absentees in kindergarten have the lowest academic performance in first grade. Because each suspension lasted 2-3 days, the child missed over 50 school days. This child’s IEP required that he have a para-professional (“para”) to shadow him during the school day, however his parent states that the para was removed by the school. Other services he was entitled to were given by teachers who were not certified in special education.

“This is an outrageous mistreatment of this child and his family,” said Council Member James. “Children with special needs are entitled to services whether they attend traditional public schools or charter schools. To punish a child and keep him from the classroom because the resources are not available to help him demonstrates a shocking degree of indifference to his education.”

WHAT: Press Conference calling on SUNY Charter Schools Institute, as well as the Success Academy Board of Trustees and DOE to Investigate Student Suspensions at Success Academy

In response to rising community concerns regarding a perceived increase in household burglaries, Assembly Member Walter Mosley and Council Member Letitia James are hosting a meeting with the Commanding Officers of the 77th, 78th, and 88th Precincts. They will report on current conditions, and there will be a question and answer period.

Monday, March 11, 2013

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT HALT OF ‘SODA BAN’

(New York, NY)— Today, the New York State Supreme Court halted the City of New York from implementing a ban on single-serving sugary drinks over 16 ounces, popularly known as the “soda ban”, which would have gone into effect on March 12, 2013. In a 37-page decision, Judge Milton Tingling “enjoined and permanently restrained” the City from exercising the ban, citing the regulations as “fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences,” and questioning the administration’s right to implement such policy without Legislative (City Council) support.

"I have argued that the Mayor's proposal to ban sugary drinks over 16 ounces was arbitrarily punitive and would most harshly target small local businesses, and I’m glad that the New York State Supreme Court agrees,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I believe in promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and if the administration wants to make meaningful gains in this area, they can begin by seeking to meet New York State requirements for physical education (PE) in schools. Although state requirements set the minimum standard for PE in high schools at two classes per week, IBO reports show that the DOE fails to meet this standard. I believe that increasing exercise, promoting healthy food choices, and developing urban farming programs in schools has a real and lasting effect on obesity.”

Council Member Letitia James has been actively involved in the “Let’s Move” Brooklyn campaign, developed nationally by First Lady Michelle Obama; and she recently joined with Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Women's City Club of New York, and the American Heart Association in calling on the NYC Department of Education to bring New York City public schools' Physical Education (PE) programs up to State requirements.

Friday, March 8, 2013

The YMCA Teen Internship Opportunity applications are now available for the YMCA Teen Career Connection, a paid summer internship program which provides opportunities for high school students to gain invaluable experience the professional world.

The chosen participants get an 8-week internship where they are placed in fields related to their career interests. In addition to their experience, the participants are provided with a $1,250 stipend, $300 for professional clothing, and 2 monthly unlimited Metrocards.

In order to qualify for the program, the teen must be available for the entirety of the program (June 28th- August 23rd and September 9th), be a sophomore, junior, or senior in high school, and live within the 5 boroughs.

The YMCA will be hosting an information sessions on the program on March 21th, 6-8 p.m. at the West Side YMCA– 5 West 63rd Street New York, NY 10023. The application closes on April 5. Go to www.ymcanyc.org for more information.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty recently announced that the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will once again hold five SAFE Disposal Events (one in each borough) to provide NYC residents with a one-stop method to safely dispose of potentially harmful household products (see www.nyc.gov/safedisposal).

The acronym SAFE stands for solvents, automotive, flammables, electronics. Materials accepted include common residential items such as auto fluids, batteries, electronics, glues, medications, paint products, and more. Only NYC residential waste will be accepted at the SAFE Disposal Events.
When deciding what items to bring, residents should look for products labeled with the following signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. Products labeled DANGER represent the highest hazard level.

Please also bring any other materials stored in your home that you know may be harmful.

Event will be held from 10 am to 4 pm (rain or shine). For safety reasons, attendees may not unload their vehicles outside of the event area. There may be extended wait times.

This event will also feature an info table and the blue and green recycling mascots.
If you can’t participate in this event, please keep in mind that there are options year round to handle the following items: auto products, batteries, cell phones, electronics, fluorescent lamps, latex paint, mercury devices, and syringes. See www.nyc.gov/wasteless/harmful to learn more.
For additional information on the SAFE events, visit www.nyc.gov/safedisposal or call 311.

UPDATE: Multiple media reports now state that Mr. Julio Acevedo will surrender to police.

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
MARCH 4, 2013

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

Council Member Letitia James Commends NYPD for Quick Identification of Hit-and-Run Suspect

(New York, NY)— On March 3, 2013, a tragic car crash claimed the lives of a young Williamsburg couple expecting a child. Raizel (Raizy) and Nachman Glauber— who were traveling to the hospital in a Toyota Camry livery cab at the time of the collision— were struck by a BMW Sedan driving northbound along Kent Avenue. While the cab driver was treated for minor injuries, the Glauber’s child (a boy) was born prematurely in an emergency procedure. The baby sustained blunt trauma, and was pronounced deceased on March 4, 2013. The driver of the BMW left the scene of the collision.

By 2PM on Monday, March 04, 2013, police had identified Julio Acevedo as a suspect in the hit-and-run. Mr. Acevedo had a previous DWI arrest in February 2013, and was reportedly traveling at least 60mph when his car struck the cab carrying the Glaubers. The speed limit in the area is 30mph. Additionally, media reports state that Mr. Acevedo previously served an estimated eight years in prison on a manslaughter charge in a shooting death.

“I extend my condolences to the Glauber’s extended family at this tragic time,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I commend the police department for quickly identifying a suspect, and I join the voices calling for the suspect to be charged with a triple homicide.”

Police state that at minimum Mr. Acevedo would be charged with fleeing from the scene of a crime. Community leaders are calling for a charge of triple homicide for the suspect.